The Renatus Project is here!

The Renatus Project has been years in the making. The idea of the project was born within. After years of struggling to survive, enduring dialysis and a subsequent kidney transplant, I met wonderful people from all walks of life on my journey. Every encounter provided me with a deep feeling of gratitude, reflection and inspiration. But there was more!

Many of my transplant friends told me their life stories. Every one of them was unique, powerful and inspirational. As I maintained those relationships some of the stories evolved into tales of suffering and drama but also unconditional love, redemption, and appreciation of life and people. Quickly I realized that those remarkable stories must be told.

Unfortunately, the regimen of daily life and responsibilities did not allow me time to work on the project but the idea would not leave my restless head. I started contemplating all aspects of the project and it became a healthy obsession. I realized that the time was now. It must become a reality and my top priority!

This decision came at an important point on my photographic journey. I have done a lot of creative photography, my workshops are successful and I have the privilege of writing extensively, including my new book and the monthly column for the FujiLove Magazine, among other things. Having said that, I wanted to take my photography further. I wanted my seeing to have a new visual impulse. This project was that challenge.

Years of pondering gave me a good start – I knew exactly how I wanted the project to be, its objectives, and even which camera I would shoot it with. As I was working hard to make it happen, I encountered the wind – no not the one that slows you down – quite the opposite. One of my clients, now a friend, offered to fund my gear for the project, boosting my energy and zest for the project. Then, even before the launch, more people stepped up with donations and help with the website. The project came alive.

In recent weeks, Spencer Wynn, my friend and a documentary photographer from Toronto, joined the project to cover stories on the east coast. With his expertise and documentary photography experience I couldn’t find a better partner to pursue remarkable human stories.

The first story is indeed remarkable! It is a true tale of unconditional love, compassion, redemption and zest for living. It is a story that crosses international borders and brings people together in an unexpected way. Most importantly, it is a story that must be shared, especially today.

Please support this project and share the story among your friends and on social media. If you can, we would also appreciate your financial patronage. Thank you for reading this and let’s do it together. There are so many remarkable human stories to tell…

Europe, 1945

For Hans and his fellow soldiers the war was already over. It was now a matter of just staying alive. A farmer’s basement was not the ideal hideout but the best they could find at this moment. It didn’t take long before the basement was discovered by Canadian soldiers. When the door flew open, Hans, along with the others shouted, “Don’t shoot!” “Don’t shoot!” To their great relief there was a loud clear response: “Don’t shoot” “Don’t shoot!” Remarkably, neither side fired a bullet.